The Kids

What a miracle to actually get a good picture of all four at the same time. My patience was definitely tested trying to get a good one! I discovered the power of prayer before this one (I'm serious).

Popcorn

Now I have heard of "cauliflower ear" . . . Has anyone ever heard of popcorn ear?

I hope it isn't contagious!

FYI: That is peanut butter and jelly sandwich on his face.

Owen - age 2

Luau

We were putting out our Nativity village and Mikayla and Brice were discussing the structures of the buildings. (It is a collection of buildings from Bethlehem with the stable and such). The roofs are flat and not peaked like today. Some of them even have doors that come out to them with seating and such.

Mikayla: "Mom, I think I learned once why the roofs were flat back then. . . "

Brice interrupts: "Oh, I know, I know, I know. I learned this in school last year. The roofs are flat so that the people could go out on them and have luaus!" (emphasis on luuuau)

Ah, yes, fatted pig and leis included, I'm sure!

Tina

Christmas

Here are some of the results of Christmas.

I know the tool set wasn't a Colorado gift. It was actually a birthday present, but I couldn't resist the upside down glasses. He would lift them off his eyes and put them on top of his head to talk to me, then put them back over his eyes to "run" the drill. I am sure he would make OSHA proud! Owen loves his alligator and his blanket. He calls his alligator something, but I can't understand or interpret what he is saying yet. He takes it to and from bed with him everyday.

Both Carra and Mikayla loved, loved, loved their teasets. It was a great idea to send Carra a plastic one since Mikayla got a glass one. Mikayla's favorite gift of the season though was the doll. She still can't believe Grandma made it and just loves it. I think she named it Rose. Carra's well - - - it's naked already. At least she is consistent!

Brice loves the boat. The great white shark was the icing on the cake. That thing has been swimming all over the house and has even had a few dips in the bathtub already. The nerf dart guns though were the hit of the party. By the time Buff and Ryan and Brice were done with the day, they had shot everyone and everything possible. Buff says Thank You!

Oh, Brandi, the whoopie cushion was the best - but they got overly excited using it and popped a hole in it the first day. They were dying to try it on my mom - but never got that far. It would have been a good laugh!

Thank You for everything! Everything fit well and was greatly appreciated!

Tina

Owen's birthday cake

Owen is officially two! Here he is with his "basheball cake." He couldn't believe that I let him lick the frosting right off the cake!

He is such a blast to spend the day with (providing he is well fed and has had plenty of rest). He is talking better than any of the other kids were at age 2. (I think that is a good thing :0) He loves to wear hats and he always wears the "basheball" hats backwards.

He loves sports. I think he is going to be the athlete of the family. He can tell you the different sports when he sees them on the tv and look out when he throws a ball. Right now his favorite is baseball, but I think that is because he has a plastic bat in the basement and got a little glove and Velcro baseball for Christmas. Basically he is drawn to any ball laying around and is your best bud if you will throw it around with him!

Tina

Amazing

Brice got a KNEX carnival for Christmas and spent all morning Tuesday putting it together. He did 90% of it himself. I had to help him work out a few kinks. It has a motor that makes the "rides" go around.

I am sure you can guess, but he was quite proud of himself. And I quote, "This is the most amazing thing I have built in the history of me building things."

Yeah, he makes me smile!

Tina